Tributes paid as boxing legend Sir Henry Cooper dies

During a glittering career which saw him win British, European and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, Cooper cemented his status as one of the best boxers in British history.

He died two days before his 77th birthday at his son's home in Surrey. His health had deteriorating over recent years, with one close friend saying he had never recovered after the death of his wife.

A celebrity following his retirement, London-born Cooper won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award twice, in both 1967 and 1970. He was knighted in 2000.

During their famous bout in 1963, Cooper landed a vicious hook on Ali – then named Cassius Clay – in the fourth round. It sent the American on to the ropes at Wembley Stadium before he crashed to the ground.

Controversially, Ali's trainer led him over to his corner before saying he needed a new pair of gloves, which allowed the American time to recover from the blow. Ali admitted years later that Cooper "had hit him so hard that his ancestors in Africa felt it". In the following round, the fight was stopped after a barrage of punches left Cooper with blood around his eyes.

Speaking about the fight four years ago, Cooper recalled: "I was faster than your usual heavyweight – though not as fast as he was – and I cut his mobility down. I crossed him, trapped him in corners and tried to get him on the ropes, which I did for a certain amount of time."

The pair met again three years later, but by that time Ali was world heavyweight champion and well on his way to becoming one of the best-known athletes of all time. Ali proved too strong and held on to his title, the big scalp missing from Cooper's CV.

But Cooper, who will be remembered as much for his warm personality, bore no grudges: "I'm not bitter about it at all", he said. "It's many years ago now".

He began his career at the tender age of 15 and also represented Britain at Olympic level, losing to Russian Anatoli Petrov in the second round in Helsinki in 1952. He served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps – often referred to as "The Boxers' Battalion" at the time before turning professional in 1954.

In 1959, he defeated Brian London to win the British and Commonwealth heavyweight belts. In 1968, following victory over Karl Mildenberger, he also took the European title for the second time, having held it briefly in 1964. Cooper retired five years after his second defeat to Ali following a defeat at the hands of Joe Bugner.

It was the end an incredible career which saw the affable east Londoner win 40 of his 55 professional fights.

It was not, however, the end of his public career. Following his retirement from boxing, he became a television personality, appearing regularly on panel shows and was one of the original two captains on Question of Sport in January 1970.

Last night, figures from the world of boxing paid tribute to a man who "served boxing wonderfully".

David Haye, the current WBA World Champion, wrote on Twitter: "One of Britain's greatest sports man Sir Henry Cooper passed away today.

"A true warrior and great human being. Rest in Peace."

Adding his voice to the online condolences, Lennox Lewis tweeted: "R.I.P. Sir Henry Cooper. Former British, Commonwealth and European Champion. My deepest condolences to the Cooper family."

Robert Smith, the general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, described him as "one of the sporting icons, not just for the boxing public but sport in general".

"Ali is possibly the greatest athlete there's ever been and Henry put up a great performance and just wasn't quite good enough on both occasions – but he's not the only one who wasn't good enough to beat Ali.

"Everyone called him 'Our Enry', and he was much loved, he served boxing wonderfully."